design critique- a 37' cat-ketch sharpie/dory (pictures)

[Seafarer24]

I checked out this 37' gaff-rigged sharpie/dory over the weekend. It has its share of problems (rot) but still has my interest (parts are good and price is right).
Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone cared to critique the design, as there is one thing that is bothering me: centerboard location. I think it is too far forwards and would create considerable weather helm.



The centerboard trunk starts a couple feet behind the main mast, and ends a couple feet before the mizzen. The trunk is an open slot from the deck to the keel. Both of the masts are equal height, and I am assuming equal sail area. Beam is 9' and draft is 32" (board up). A bit deep for a Sharpie, in my opinion.

Another question: the stem and sternpost are both ~4"x4" post that extend past the deck. Is it alright to use these as a sampson post?

[sharpii2]

Originally Posted by Seafarer24

I checked out this 37' gaff-rigged sharpie/dory over the weekend. It has its share of problems (rot) but still has my interest (parts are good and price is right).
Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone cared to critique the design, as there is one thing that is bothering me: centerboard location. I think it is too far forwards and would create considerable weather helm.

You may be wrong about that. The reason for this is that you may well be dealing with a traditional centerboard, where you are more used to modern ones. Traditional centerboards lower only their lower aft corner below the hull. The the upper forward corner stays in the case and the lower forward corner is where the axle pin goes. This way, as much as half the board stays in the case.

More modern boards tend to be 'L' shaped. The short arm of the 'L' stays in the case and the forward corner where the short and long arms meet is where the axle pin goes. When the board is lowered, the long arm of the 'L' can end up pointing straight down and can then have an airfoil like shape. This is considerably more efficient which is why it's done.

The consequences of these two designs is that the 'L' shaped one will have its Center of Area (CA) closer to the forward end of the case, where the more traditional one will have its CA much closer to its aft end.

The centerboard trunk starts a couple feet behind the main mast, and ends a couple feet before the mizzen. The trunk is an open slot from the deck to the keel. Both of the masts are equal height, and I am assuming equal sail area. Beam is 9' and draft is 32" (board up). A bit deep for a Sharpie, in my opinion.

Another question: the stem and sternpost are both ~4"x4" post that extend past the deck. Is it alright to use these as a sampson post?

I would never use a bow or stern post as a Samson post. If either one is ripped off, the boat could very well sink. A properly designed Samson post distributes its loads more more effectively throughout the hull and deck.

I would be very interested to see what kind of bottom configuration this boat has. Does it have a slotted keel, a 'V' bottom, or does it have a great deal of ballast. Either one of these would explain the 32" board up depth.

This, indeed looks like a boat worth fixing up.

[Seafarer24]

I believe you're right with regards to the traditional style centerboard being used here. It makes a lot of sense considering how the boat is constructed.

Thank you for your comment with regards to the sampson post idea as well. currently the boat has little cleats screwed into the top of the stem and sternpost. They're just crappy little cleats though, and would pull out before the wood broke. Especially since they were screwed into unsealed wood and have caused some (more) rot

There are iron (lead?) triangular-shaped rods under the cabin sole that can be easily moved around by hand. I used one to poke at some rot, but figured their only other use is some sort of ballast.

I haven't been contacted back about this boat, which is very odd as I've shown much interest in it, and am just about the only person that has (and it's been for sale for years now).